Golden-bellied Flyrobin
Microeca hemixantha
A small, plump flycatcher-like songbird with uniform olive-green upperside and entirely lemon-yellow underside. Note the yellow mark between bill and eye, contrasting with a dark line through the eye. Occupies lowland forest and mangroves, typically singly or in pairs. Restricted to the Tanimbar Islands, where there are no other similar small, bright yellow songbirds. Simple song is a series of three high-pitched whistles, “wit-too-wee.” Calls include high, thin “seeE” notes, accentuated at the end.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Microeca hemixantha
- Authority
- Sclater, PL, 1883
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Petroicidae
- Genus
- Microeca
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red-necked Tanager
Tangara cyanocephala
Handsome small tanager that inhabits the canopy of humid forests, forest edges, and woodlands; often accompanies mixed-species flocks and visits feeding stations. Mostly green with a blue crown and throat and red cheeks and nape. Males have a black back and females are duller with a mottled black back.
Thicket Tinamou
Crypturellus cinnamomeus
A furtive, ‘tail-less’ gamebird that lives on the ground in tropical woodland and forest. Rarely seen (sometimes crosses quiet roads or trails), but haunting whistled song is often heard, especially early and late in the day. Note distinct pale barring on upperparts and bright reddish legs. Birds in West Mexico are paler and grayer overall, those in East Mexico and Central America have a rusty-colored breast and belly.
White-throated Crake
Laterallus albigularis
Small marsh bird, very difficult to see as it creeps through dense grass. Far more easily heard: listen for a loud descending chatter that lasts several seconds. If you are lucky enough to spot one, look for the combination of rich rufous neck and sides of breast, whitish throat, and barred black-and-white flanks. Favors damp pastures and marshes, where it usually stays hidden but occasionally runs through open areas.
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